Cultural Graduation Photos

Hafa Adai, Buenas, yan Tirow!

It's me, your favorite Chamaole, Christina (T-Bone), freshly graduated from Grad School with my Masters in Elementary Education.

As a gift to myself, I had planned on having graduation portraits taken and part of that plan was to have one pose with me wearing traditional Chamorru and Carolinian accessories to honor my heritage. I was planning on purchasing the accessories and photoshoot all on my own but after doing some research on the prices I would have to pay for spondylus jewelry, a lighatuttur, a mwarmwar, as well the cost of the photoshoot and photo prints... it added up quickly and turned out to cost more than I expected.

Being a new grad, I am currently taking substitute teaching jobs and those hours and paychecks are not consistent. This fall I will be teaching full-time, God willing, and better able to treat myself to something like this - but for now, I have to rely on "graduation gifts/chenchule" to afford such accessories and portraits.

THIS IS NOT A NECESSITY OR EMERGENCY! So, I totally understand if you are unable or unwilling to make a donation. I have a family of 6 myself and I know we all have our own family budgets and struggles to deal with. With all the support, wishes, and congratulations I've received from family recently on social media, that alone means the world to me <3 This is just something extra I wanted to do in honor of Grandpa Santos who has Refaluwasch blood, Grandma Encha - both grandparents who have ties to both Guam and the CNMI, as well as my own upbringing on Guam. Everyone who makes a donation will receive a handwritten thank you note from me as well as prints of the portraits taken. Be sure to send me your mailing address for this on social media messenger or at: [email redacted] !

Here is a breakdown of what I would do with the money raised from most expensive to least:

Professional Graduation Portraits taken in Studio Setting plus Professional Prints: approx. $400-500

Handmade Lighatuttur (includes shipping): $250

Handmade mwarmwar (either I will make it myself or purchase, depending on which is more feasible) approx. $150

Spondylus earring (handmade/handcarved): $55

From Saltwater Empress (click link to view):

https://saltwaterempress.com/

Si yu'us ma'ase for your support and thank you for taking the time to check this out!

~Christina (T-Bone)